The man accused of murder in the stabbing death of 28-year-old Alejandro Hurtado in late 2007 is facing additional charges alleging he possessed and exhibited a weapon at the San Benito County Jail on Oct. 26.
Jose A. Covian, 23, is suspected of stabbing and killing Hurtado in December 2007 in the 800 block of C Street during a confrontation outside a party. In the murder charge to which he has pleaded not guilty, Covian is set for a jury trial Jan. 25, with a trial setting Jan. 14.
At the San Benito County Courthouse today, Covian faced arraignment and pleaded not guilty to the new charge as well. Prosecutors allege Covian possessed and exhibited a dirk or dagger at the jail in October and filed the charges Dec. 15, according to court records.
Public Defender Gregory LaForge, who is representing Covian in both matters, said the district attorney's office "is obviously going to attempt to use that" - the latest charges - in the murder trial. LaForge said he would "vigorously oppose" related testimony in the trial later this month.
"Anytime you deal with a jailhouse snitch, your case becomes suspect," LaForge said.
Kollin Kosmicki Kollin Kosmicki is editor of the Free Lance and Pinnacle. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 337 or editor@freelancenews.com.
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